Here's a happy post! December 10th, 2025. Our Hermana Brooklyn Wheeler returned home from her 18-month mission in Spain! I can't begin to say how joyful it is to have her home. Our family simply feels...complete! The first breakfast with every seat at the dining room table filled was delightful. Brooklyn brings such happy wisdom into our home. Even though we already miss her at college, I know she shares that same peace and positivity with her new roommates.
So, back to the big homecoming. Brooklyn's flight was delayed a couple hours and didn't arrive until 10pm. That whole day I felt lost--it was like the emptiness from when she first left came rushing back and I ached to see her. Fortunatel there was plenty to do. We filled the time preparing balloons and making signs. In fact, NomiAnn was so excited to see our girl that she started cricuting signs weeks earlier.
Gathering at the airport! Brooklyn had quite the special crew. Here's her mission companion, Hermana Turner.
And her bestie Lily who came home from her mission in Texas just a couple weeks prior.
Of course Talia was there, along with her talented friend Hannah who volunteered to take photos. Thanks, Hannah!
Some more special signs made by the Wilhoits This one was Eila's. 788,923.8 minutes--that's a lot of mission!
Our brilliant Hermana and her posse.
Even though it was late and Brooklyn was jetlagged, we still snagged some delicious pizza from the pie hole and partied. I think it was nearly 1am before we all went home! Good thing Spaniards are used to evening festivities.
Bottoms up! Brooklyn requested root beer floats but got so busy chatting that she never drank one.
At home we'd made a special "finish line" banner for her to run through. Took a couple tries--turns out paper can be more difficult to tear than one might expect. :)
Lamenting her final hours as a missionary. Whipped cream helps soothe the pain.
Later that morning President James came over to release Brooklyn as a missionary. It's amazing how abrupt both beginnings and endings can be. But the beautiful thing is that most endings mark the beginning of something equally wonderful and new.
***
Brooklyn came home on a Wednesday, was formally released from missionary service on Thursday, and gave her missionary homecoming talk on Sunday. I thought about creating a separate post for Sunday's festivities but decided they fit best right here.
Here is Brooklyn speaking in church at our 4th and P building. While the Gospel is true anywhere, we feel very blessed to worship in such a beautiful space.
Afterward, we had a sandwich bar, a cookie bar, and a hot chocolate bar at our home. So many thanks to my Mom for both bringing cookies and setting up the food while I was accompanying the ward choir!
Hosting occasionally stresses me out, but I wish it didn't. It always feels wonderful to have our home full of family and friends. We may not have a huge space, but it's always expands to be enough.
Sunday, December 14th also happened to coincide with Annika's heartiversary--1 year post-transplant. We wanted to do a service project to remember her donor and decided that rock painting might be a simple way to commemorate their interconnected lives.
It actually worked out better than I expected. The rock painting brought people together into a comfortable space where they could color and chat and simply enjoy one another's company. For me, organ donation is all about cherishing the small moments and holding those you love close. Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of a transplant, both life and time are precious.
Plus, rock painting is just fun! There's something liberating about engaging in something creative. Some of us (myself included), haven't really painted since we were children.
A rock is such a small canvas that it doesn't feel overwhelming. When the canvas is plucked off the ground, it removes the pressure of having to create something impressive. But even more, I love the connection with nature. It fits Annika's woodsy personality perfectly, plus it's pretty poignant on a meta-level as well. Created from the dust of the earth, each one of us will return to our Mother Earth as well.
Best of all, the results are just so cute and cheerful! Especially the gnomes and Snoopy.
Oh, and can't forget the guinea pig.
By this time Zion needed a walk, and I was happy to get some fresh air in the foothills.
Rising above the inversion.
Our unseasonably warm winter is certainly creating problems on the ski slopes, but on the plus side it makes for some pleasant walks. Thanks to Christy, Charles, and Susie for joining us!
Back at home we took a couple photos of NomiAnn and Papa Kay before they took off for the Cottage. My parents are the cutest! Gotta say, I LOVE these pictures. Brooklyn's glow certainly rubbed off. You can tell they are delighted to have all their grandchildren together again.
Our family was inspired and took some photos as well, this time at NomiAnn and Papa Kay's house in front of their towering Christmas tree. Plus, I was pretty desperate to get a photo for our Christmas card.
NomiAnn and Papa Kay were super kind and volunteered to host everyone for soup and bread for dinner. Brooklyn, just to let you know how MUCH you are loved, it is amazing that you had two parents, four grandparents, three uncles, three aunts, three siblings, and four cousins there to celebrate your Homecoming all day long! So many thanks to all!
NomiAnn and Papa Kay spent so much time decorating their new home. It was beautiful!
A few close-ups of Papa Kay's Dickens village.
We feel so fortunate to not only get along with both sides of our family, but both sides of our family get along with each other. It makes for some fun celebrations!
Thank you for bringing us all together, Brooklyn. Bienvenida a Casa, Hermana Wheeler! Mijita, te queremos. Gracias por compartir tu luz.
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